Bhutan's tshechus fill dzong courtyards with masked cham dances, colourful crowds and, at some festivals, the dawn unveiling of a giant thongdrel. Below are the tentative dates for the rest of 2026 and for 2027, grouped by month.
Please note: these dates are tentative. They come from the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators' schedules (2026 list updated April 2025; 2027 list updated 14 February 2025) and follow the lunar calendar, so they can change. Confirm with us before booking flights.
Remaining festivals in 2026
November 2026
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Black-Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang | 11 November |
| Goenpai Drupchen | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 14–16 November |
| Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 17–19 November |
| Phuentsholing Tshechu | Phuentsholing, Chhukha | 17–19 November |
| Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang | 18–20 November |
| Rongtse Nye Tshechu | Rongtse Nye, Sangbaykha, Haa | 19 November |
| Rongtse Nye Festival | Sangbaykha Dungkhag Ground, Haa | 20–21 November |
| Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang | 24 November |
| Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Bumthang | 24–26 November |
December 2026
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Dochula, Thimphu | 13 December |
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 17–21 December (thongdrel on the last day) |
| Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | 17–21 December (thongdrel on the last day) |
| Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | 22–24 December |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Trongsa | 24–26 December |
Bhutan festivals 2027
February 2027
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Lhamoi Dromchhen | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 11–13 February |
| Punakha Dromchoe | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 13–15 February |
| Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 16–18 February |
| Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 20 February |
| Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse | 20 February and 8 March |
| Tangsibi Mani | Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang | 22–24 February |
March 2027
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Gomphu Kora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashiyangtse | 16–18 March |
| Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 16–18 March |
| Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 16–18 March |
| Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 16–18 March |
| Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 18–22 March (thongdrel on the last day) |
April 2027
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Rhododendron Week | Shetemey, Merak, Trashigang | 3–9 April |
| Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumi, Bumthang | 16–18 April |
| Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 18–22 April |
| Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Park, Thimphu | 22–23 April |
June 2027
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumi, Bumthang | 12–14 June |
| Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Bumthang | 14 June |
September 2027
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Tour of the Dragon (mountain bike race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | 5 September |
October 2027
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Thimphu Drubchen | Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu | 5 October |
| Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | 8–10 October |
| Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing Lhakhang, Bumthang | 10–12 October |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu | 10–12 October |
| Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Wangduephodrang | 13–15 October (thongdrel on the last day) |
| Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14–15 October |
| Thangbi Mewang | Thangbi Lhakhang, Bumthang | 15–16 October |
November 2027
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong | 6–9 November (thongdrel on the last day) |
| Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong | 6–8 November |
| Haa Tshechu | Lhakhang Karpo, Haa | 6–8 November |
| Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Bumthang | 6–9 November |
| Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 8 November |
| Black-Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha | 11 November |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang | 14–17 November |
| Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 15–17 November |
December 2027
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Goenpai Drupchen | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 3–5 December |
| Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong | 6–8 December |
| Phuentsholing Tshechu | Phuentsholing, Chhukha | 6–8 December |
| Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong | 7–9 December |
| Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang | 13 December |
| Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Bumthang | 13–15 December |
| Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Dochula, Thimphu | 13 December |
January 2028
| Festival | Place | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong | 5–9 January 2028 (thongdrel on the last day) |
| Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong | 5–9 January 2028 (thongdrel on the last day) |
| Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrupjongkhar | 10–12 January 2028 |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Trongsa | 12–14 January 2028 |
Planning a festival trip
Popular festivals such as Paro and Thimphu Tshechu fill hotels early, so plan four to six months ahead. A festival day fits easily into a 6 to 9 night itinerary. See our festival tours or message us on WhatsApp +975 17661648.
Frequently asked questions
When is Paro Tshechu 2027?
The tentative dates are 18 to 22 March 2027 at Rinpung Dzong in Paro, with the thongdrel unveiled on the last day.
When is Thimphu Tshechu 2027?
The tentative dates are 10 to 12 October 2027 at Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu, with the Thimphu Drubchen on 5 October.
Are Bhutan festival dates fixed?
No. Tshechu dates follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar and are confirmed by the monastic body, so they can shift. Book flexible arrangements and confirm with us before buying flights.
Can tourists attend tshechus?
Yes. Visitors are welcome in the dzong courtyards. Dress modestly, follow your guide's lead on photography and keep the dance ground clear.
More guides: Black-Necked Crane Festival (11 November); Phobjikha valley; Bumthang temples; Punakha Dzong.
